As Ferguson Burns - Angel Butts

[Larry Robinson]

As Ferguson Burns

As Ferguson burns,
I hear the outrage of a people
with lives rendered valueless
once and for all.
A people with hearts that can bleed
onto the streets
without recourse.

As Ferguson burns,
I hear the anguish of a mother
twice destroyed.
First by one man, then by a country
whose justice
does not extend to her flesh.

As Ferguson burns,
I hear the conscience of millions

INDICTED.

Who hoped for more
but expected nothing less.
Who will wait for the flames to be extinguished
during the commercial break.

As Ferguson burns,
I hear the voices of unchecked power
and shudder at the knowledge
that they will come for me one day.
That my day, too, will come
to bleed onto the street
without recourse.

And so,
as Ferguson burns,
I hear the voice inside me chant,

“Burn on.”

Let the fires burn
until every ear
is ripped open.

Let the fires burn
until the weak
the disadvantaged
the oppressed
are not alone
in their hot rage
at the brutal confirmation
of their own expendability.

Let the fires burn
until every city, every town
is on its knees.
Until there is no choice
but for all of us
to burn alone
or rise again
together.

As Ferguson burns,
I hear my voice cry out.

“Burn on.”


	- Angel Butts 

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